Waking to the sound of waves crashing the shore, surrounded by the vibrant colours of a foreign landscape, sipping coffee from a cozy cafe typing away on the laptop!
Do you want to blend work and adventure, balance deadlines and new projects whilst exploring the world? But don’t know where and how to begin? Then this post is for you!
The way we work is changing. Flexible working is one thing, and being a full-fledged digital nomad is completely an another thing altogether.
Yet, more and more people are opting for the latter. Countries are becoming more lenient with visas, which is attracting digital workers from all over the world who want to balance remote working with travel.
So, what exactly is a digital nomad and how could you become one?
What is a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads are nomadic people who earn a living by working online, with no restriction when it comes to their location. They’re typically people who refuse to let work get in the way of their ambitions to travel.
This lifestyle allows them to explore new cultures, experience different environments and enjoy greater flexibility in their daily routines. They leverage the internet to perform their job anywhere in the world. So all they need is a reliable network and a laptop!
Digital nomads typically have several income streams to fund their living costs. This might involve running a business where the work can be done remotely, alongside other examples:
Freelance Writing: Writing articles, content for websites and businesses, blog posts
Selling Courses: Create course modules on the topic that you are knowledgeable about, such as programming languages, digital marketing, yoga instructions or cooking.
Running Affiliate Websites: Produce engaging content such as product reviews, comparison, listicles, guides on a niche that you are passionate about.
Web Development: Designing and developing websites, web applications, providing remote tech support.
The Pros of Being a Digital Nomad
Location Independence
Digital Nomads have the freedom to work from any corner of the world. As long as you have a reliable source of internet connection and a functional laptop, being a Digital nomad allows you to explore and experience different destinations.
Flexibility
It provides greater flexibility to be your own boss, to decide on your own schedules and being able to balance the work and travel.
Diverse Experiences
Needless to say, being able to savour different experiences, learn new languages, understand new culture and taste new cuisines and meeting new people will altogether enrich your experience.
Work life balance
Many digital nomads choose to be so for the work life balance it offers. It allows them to spend time with their friends and family, pursue hobbies and have a flexibility on their workload, thereby helping them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Low cost lifestye
Depending on where the destination is, living expenses could be lower than in the home countries. This allows digital nomads to save money on the go.
The Cons of Being a Digital Nomad
Isolation
Working remotely mean that sometimes you will be away on new locations without much support system. This could lead to the feeling of isolation.
Unpredictability
Digital nomad life can be quite unpredictable, with challenges such as fluctuating income, unreliable internet connection and navigating through unfamiliar environments.
Time Zone Differences
Working across different time zones can be challenging to communicate and collaborate with friends, colleagues, clients and likewise.
Work Life Blur
While work life balance is a pro for a digital nomad, it can also prove to be difficult if there are no clear boundaries established at work. Sometimes leisure time can overlap, or it could lead to burnout or decreased productivity.
Legal and Visa Issues
This could be a potential threat to the digital nomad. Careful planning and research is madatory prior to going and working in a country and a digital nomad due to visa restrictions.
Financial insecurity
Remote workers and freelancers may experience inconsistent income or face difficulties accessing traditional financial services like loans and mortgages.
How to Switch Lifestyle to Become a Digital Nomad
Firstly, you need to identify and acquire the right skills that will allow you to work remotely and establish steady stream of income. While there are 100s of options to choose from, care should be taken in researching and choosing the correct work skill.
Then, find the remote job opportunities through online job boards, freelancing websites like Upwork. Alternatively, you can also negotiate a remote working arrangements with your existing employer.
Ensure you have a steady stream of income to support your nomadic lifestyle. It is also a good idea to create many passive income or side hussle.
Embrace this new way of working. You need to plan out your own schedule and take full responsibility for finding and completing work efficiently so that your income remains steady. Ensure that you have researched on the nomad-friendly destinations, legality of working and visas, plan for internet connectivity and decide whether you want to opt for a rental property or motorhome.
If you prefer to travel around Europe, a motorhome will be a cost effective option.
You could work on the go from anywhere across Europe, in which case, you’ll need a motorhome insurance. You’ll ideally also need insurance so that you’re covered if anything goes wrong, from healthcare to gadget insurance. You’ll also need to consider taxes and other expenses. It might be worth investing in a good quality laptop for instance, as this will be the key to your new working life.
Remember, becoming a digital normal requires careful planning resourcefulness and a willingness to embrace new experiences. It’s an exciting lifestyle choice, but its important to approach it thoughtfully to ensure a fulfilling and sustainable journey.
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